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Parents Partnering with Schools Presenter –Bernadette White Education Consultant Professional School Counselor Adjunct Professor Parent Liaison Student Advocate

Parents Partnering with Schools Agenda –Review and discuss how school works –Discuss the importance of partnering with your child’s school –Review the importance of homework assignments the impact it has on overall student success –Discuss how to identify and understand your child’s educational needs

Parents Partnering with Schools Activator: Listen and Learn (10 minutes) –One question per table –Participants are the read the question –Work with your table mates to develop a response to the question. –The response can only consist of 1 sentence that reflects the consensus of the group –Identify someone in your group to report out to the larger group

Parents Partnering with Schools How school works –A school is an institution designed for teaching students at the direction of teachers –Most schools are eager to demonstrate the link between classroom learning and real world applications –Teachers have a tremendous task of imparting knowledge, developing skills and assessing students abilities

Parents Partnering with Schools –Teaching and learning is a process that goes hand in hand –Schools are mandated by the School System, Board of Education, State Department of Education (OSSE), private corporate boards (charter schools) to carry out instructional mandates such as Common Core Standards, PARC Assessments, grading and reporting, homework assignments, reading assessments and special education services.

Parents Partnering with Schools Partnering with your child’s school –Many individuals are involved in your child’s education. The more you know what they do, the more you can help your child. Teachers – talk to teachers about your child; the more they know the more they can help; Principals and other school administrators – responsible for supervising the whole school, and helping teachers and staff do a better job; Paraprofessionals and other School-Related staff– help teachers and students in class, students with special needs and provide other types of assistance &support; Other helpful school staff are secretaries, custodians, food service workers, bus drivers, and security

Parents Partnering with Schools Partnering with your child’s school –Attend parent/teacher conferences –Review progress notes and report cards –Attend test review sessions – learn the importance of student assessments; how it impacts your child’s academic success and self-esteem –Get to know the school counselor or school social worker

Parents Partnering with Schools Activity – Three questions are posted around the room – Participants will take a post-it and place their response to the appropriate questions Questions –How do I feel about going to my child’s school? –What are my responsibilities as a parent to the school? –What are the school’s responsibilities to me?

Parents Partnering with Schools The importance of homework –Reasons for homework –Establishing homework routines –No homework – think again! –Helping students plan and organize –Barriers to success –Parents as coaches

Parents Partnering with Schools Reasons for assignment homework –It improves thinking and memory skills –It helps to develop positive study skills –It empowers students to use time wisely –It teaches students to work independently –It teaches students to take responsibility for his or her learning –It helps to get ready for a new day of classroom instructions

Parents Partnering with Schools Establishing Homework Routines –Start with a physical activity –Designate a homework station –Keep an academic planner handy –Review the week of class work in advance –Use a timer to break of sessions –Be aware of your child’s learning style –Think of homework as learning moments for all parties –Encourage conversation about what your child is learning

Parents Partnering with Schools No homework! No, think again –Teachers always give students homework –Whether is formal or not, there is always additional learning that should take place out side of the classroom –Homework helps students to plan and organize their work –Homework also limits barriers to learning – when students struggle with day to day routines, homework will help to keep them focus

Parents Partnering with Schools Identifying the educational needs of your child –Students have varying learning styles and learning needs –Understand the learning style of your child –Seek school related resources to assist with your child’s learning challenges

Parents Partnering with Schools Wrap up Questions Evaluations